Fruitscaping with Jujube Trees

Jujube will grow up to 30 feet tall. The trees favor a river willow, with shiny, emerald green leaves. Spring brings chains of small fragrant yellow flowers. Jujube grow into a graceful shade tree all summer long and in the fall, the leaves turn a rich yellow before dropping. Try a jujube as focal point in your landscape. Put one where you’ll want summer shade and where you can smell the fragrance as you enter the garden. Add a hedge of blueberries for contrast. Tie it all together with a lush ground cover of strawberries for a never-ending cycle of flowers, fruit and fall color.

Recommended Fertilizers

• Starter Fertilizer:  Plant with Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus.  This will increase root mass and help avoid transplant loss in difficult planting conditions.
• Fertilizer to Maintain:  Our varieties of Jujube Trees work great with Espoma Organic Tree-tone Fertilizer.

Growing Guide

View Our Full Jujube Trees Planting and Growing Guide

Additional Information on Jujube Trees

Never heard of a jujube? Join the crowd, here in the states this is a little known fruit. But over the years we have had a wide variety of people visit the nursery and I am always astonished to find how many people from countries other than the states know about jujube. This delectable native of China has been cultivated for over 4,000 years, in it’s native country it is highly regarded with over 400 named varieties in cultivation. Over time this fruit has traveled and is enjoyed as a commercial and door yard tree in Russia, Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. It goes under several names as you travel the world red dates, Chinese dates, Korean dates, or Indian dates. Jujube have been hybridized to create a range of flavors and textures. It’s reputation in the states got a very bad start as most of the first varieties to be introduced were drying types. The drying type are good but they only achieve their rich flavor once they are dried. Over time some of the better fresh eating selections have finally made their way here.  Unlike the drying varieties which have less juice the fresh type have a crisp apple like texture and sprightly flavor.

As well as being tasty, jujube are quite good for you. Medical studies have found that jujube fruits and extracts have the capacity to help lower blood pressure, reverse liver disease, treat anemia, and inhibit the growth of tumor cells that can lead to leukemia. Jujube extracts are also used in skin care products, they are used to diminish wrinkles, relieve dry skin, and treat sunburn pain  Jujubes fruit have have calming properties, when eaten. They are a good source of natural antioxidants, and can help promote relaxation, maintain liver function, limit free radical damage, maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range, and even treat hair loss.

All this and a tree that is practically trouble. They are one of the easiest, most problem-free fruits you can grow – best described as indestructible. They will grow in a wide range of climates hot and cold, thrive in dry areas with poor soil. A little care will go a long way with this tree.

Jujube Recipe

Candied Dried Jujube

• Lightly prick the skin of 2 cups of ripe Jujube.
• Fill a mason jar with fruit and top with honey.
• Seal and place to marinate in the refrigerator for one week.
• Take out and place on a cookie sheet. Place in a low heat oven (about 200 degrees) and dehydrate until thoroughly dried.
• Roll in confectioners sugar, and eat them like crazy!